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Sunday, October 9, 2011

Weekends in the Word

Roses from the yard and camera of
Girlfriend-Next-Door
prior to our weekend snowstorm
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report; 
if there be any virtue,
and if there be any praise,
think on these things.
Philippians 4:8

Like many women, and especially those who have lived a long time, depression is something I experience. I know I am not alone in this admission.  

There are many factors that can cause depression and I will not attempt to figure it all out.  If you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ you are not immune to this but at the same time you have the best help there is.  Of that I am absolutely certain.  I will not be glib and say, 'do this, and you will be fine.'  We are such amazing creatures that such a solution would not apply to every person.  I do know that God never leaves us when we feel lonely, lost, bewildered, confused, angry, and anything else you want to call it.  

But in giving it a lot of thought for a long time, I have reached three conclusions that have helped me.

1) Do what God says in His Word -- the Holy Bible.  Obedience to Him has far-reaching ramifications we cannot fathom, that is beyond our imagination.

2) Disciplining ourselves to not dwell on the negative is vastly important.  II Corinthians 10:5 tells us to take captive every thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of God (every thought that goes against what we know to be true about God and His will) and hand that  thought over to Jesus Christ Himself.  

3) Forgive.  Forgive even if the other person has not asked for forgiveness.  Some never will.  Some will avoid asking us to forgive them by trying to make it up to us with kindness.  Although that is not the same as truly clearing the air with a sincere, heartfelt apology, with some people that is all we will ever get.  God will deal with them if they are in the wrong.  (He never lets me get away with stuff, so He won't let them, either.)  Sometimes we just have to shake our heads and pray as did our Lord at the cross, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)   Also remember that we have been forgiven by God for everything we have done, are doing, and will ever do; therefore we have no right to be unforgiving toward anyone.

Yes, there are medical [physical] factors that cause depression, but I believe we will one day learn at the feet of Jesus that by far and away, the majority of depression is of a spiritual origin, more so than one of physiology.  

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